Ford Archives

Ford has taken the wraps off the 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Car, which mirrors the new styling of the all-new 2013 Fusion. According to Ford, the 2013 Fusion Sprint Cup car was designed to be the face of a new era of stock car racing.

"We wanted Fusion to be the car that helped return 'stock car' to NASCAR." stated Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. "I think fans, when they see the car, are just going to smile and cheer. It is going to reengage them with the sport and make the sport better because there is just something natural about seeing race cars that look like cars in their driveways."

This is the third time that Ford has simultaneously launched production and NASCAR versions of a new model. The first was in 1968 with the Ford Torino and the second time was in 2006 with the Fusion.

"It looks fun to drive and very much eager to go and tear up the track. It has a very aggressive stance from the outside and the inside. From all angles the vehicle exudes performance and I think it reflects our general attitude of how we go about setting up our cars very, very nicely," said Garen Nicoghosian, who led the Ford Design Center staff. "It brings a certain level of nimbleness and lightness and agility to the NASCAR platform, much like we do in our production cars, because all of our production cars have that nimbleness and agility and eagerness about them."

Ford's all-new 2013 Escape is slated to arrive this spring. If you head over to Ford's microsite for the 2013 Escape, you will see that Ford has listed the tentative pricing.

Although Ford claims that the prices listed are "for survey purposes only and are subject to change," they will most likely not change much, if at all.

The base Escape S is listed at $22,720. It comes with a 168-hp 2.5L four-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic that sends its power to the front wheels.

Stepping up to the Escape SE starts at $25,320. The SE is available with either the 173-hp 1.6L or 237-hp 2.0L EcoBoost engines with either front or all-wheel-drive. The SE trim also adds Ford's SYNC system, keyless entry dual chrome exhaust and body-colored trim exterior pieces.

The Escape SEL starts at $28,120 and adds leather seats and the MyFord Touch system.

The top of the line Escape Titanium starts at $30,620 and adds a 10-speaker HD radio audio system, 19-inch wheels and remote start. Adding all the options like the panorama roof, parking technology package and navigation system on the all-wheel-drive Titanium model pushes the final price around $37,000.

Ford's all-new 2013 Ford Escape will have reduced wind noise leading to a quieter interior thanks to the use of an elliptical acoustic mirror.

An elliptical acoustic mirror was used for the first time on Escape to reduce wind noise and deliver a quieter interior. The mirror resembles a satellite dish with a microphone. The mirror identifies "hot spots" where noise penetrates the interior of the vehicle, allowing drivers to listen to music or conversation inside the car instead of external noises. Thanks to the mirror, Ford's engineers were able to make changes to the Escape's shape, specifically the mirrors and A-pillar, while in the early clay model phase.

"We previously didn't have this tool available," said Peter Kleesattel, interior quietness development engineer. "Essentially we were able to optimize the shape earlier. In noise and vibration, the basic idea is you have noise sources outside the vehicle and you have the path.

"The path could be through the glass, door or insulation. Now we're able to optimize the shape early on, reduce the exterior source and create a quieter interior."

Lincoln has unveiled the new Lincoln MKZ Concept in Detroit, which according to the brand "signals a significant step in Lincoln's reinvention, providing a clear vision of its next-generation vehicles."

"With the Lincoln MKZ Concept, we are not introducing a new car. We are essentially introducing a new brand," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford Motor Company group vice president for Global Product Development. "The MKZ Concept is the next step in the reinvention of Lincoln, something we've been quietly but aggressively pursuing."

The MKZ Concept hints at the production version that will arrive in showrooms later this year. Max Wolff, Lincoln design director describes the MKZ Concept's shape as a "vision of simplicity completed with just a few strokes. Our movement as a brand is toward something we call elegant simplicity. It's something warmer and more restrained, which is moving away from complex designs and traditional luxury."

Although the design of the concept is all-new, it's easily recognizable as a Lincoln thanks to certain elements like the split-wing grille. Iinterior features include a push-button transmission gear selection, an open, tiered center console and liquid crystal instrumentation. The interior also gets a reconfigurable 10.1-inch Thin Film Transistor LCD positioned ahead of the driver that operates with the latest version of MyLincoln Touch in addition to the flush-mounted center 8-inch LCD touch screen.

Lincoln didn't give any details of what is under the hood other than stating that the concept is capable of using multiple powertrain options with front and all-wheel-drive configurations. The MKZ Concept also gets Lincoln Drive Control and the Continuously Controlled Damping adjustable suspension. Like the recently unveiled 2013 Ford Fusion, the MKZ Concept also gets Ford's new Lane Keeping System.

Ford has officially unveiled the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. According to Ford, "Fusion brings alive the next generation of more expressive vehicles from Ford." The all-new, more stylish Fusion is also the first sedan to gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

"Our vision for Fusion was clear - deliver the very best of what One Ford stands for," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. "We brought our global teams together around a blank slate with the charge to develop a midsize car with groundbreaking design and jaw-dropping fuel economy - one that featured technologies to help make our customers safer and better drivers. This car is the result."

The 2013 Fusion is now more stylish than ever before and ditches the "three-box" designs that we're used to in this segment. The Fusion borrows many styling cues from the Ford Evos concept and builds upon the design set by the current European Ford Mondeo.

Ford is gearing up to unveil all-new versions of both the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans at the Detroit Auto Show this week. We're gonna get our first view of the 2013 Fusion at the show tomorrow, but we'll have to wait until Tuesday to see the all-new MKZ.

In the meantime Lincoln has teased the new MKZ with a photo of the rear deck lid on its Facebook page.

Stay tuned...

2011 is officially over and for some of the automakers it was a difficult year with the earthquake in Japan and the flooding in Thailand that crippled production. Honda and Toyota were hit the hardest with sales falling off sharply for some of their popular models. Although Honda and Toyota had a difficult year, Ford and Chevy had a much better year.

The top two models continue to be the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado, with the Toyota Camry holding onto the top selling car title.

Check out the list after the jump.

Ford has previewed the next EcoSport crossover at this week's New Delhi Auto Expo.The compact crossover is based on Ford's new global B-segment platform.

"The all-new Ford EcoSport reflects our commitment to serve our customers with the cars and trucks they truly want and value," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. "Our engineering team used their years of EcoSport experience to make every aspect of the next-generation EcoSport even stronger."

The EcoSport was developed in South America for emerging markets in South America and Asia, but it hasn't been confirmed if the Fiesta-based crossover will be sold in North America. Under the hood the EcoSport will be powered by Ford's new three-cylinder 1.0L EcoBoost engine.

"We've promised to bring more than 50 new vehicles and powertrains to Asia Pacific and Africa by mid-decade and the all-new EcoSport continues to deliver on that pledge," said Joe Hinrichs, president, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa. "Endowed with traits that customers in markets like India will want and value, this exciting compact SUV will define a new segment in the small car market."

Ford's U.S. sales have topped 2 million vehicles, which is the first time since 2007. The milestone makes Ford the best selling brand in America and the first automotive brand to hit the 2 million mark since 2007.

"Ford's lineup of high-quality, fuel-efficient cars, utilities and trucks continues to attract more and more new customers," said Erich Merkle, Ford's sales analysis manager. "With gasoline prices tracking higher than last year, customers continue to move toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, whether they are passenger cars or utilities."

Ford is going to unveil the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion in January at the Detroit Auto Show. Ford has announced that the new Fusion will be available with a new Lane Keeping System that will alert and assist the driver when the car starts drifting out of a lane.

The new Lane Keeping System uses a digital camera mounted on the windshield ahead of the rearview mirror, allowing the Fusion to watch the road ahead to detect an unintentional lane departure. The Ford Lane Keeping System has three levels of assistance available to the driver depending on what is happening: Lane Keeping Alert, Lane Keeping Aid and Driver Alert.

"Fusion's Lane Keeping System combines a digital imaging sensor with our own state-of-the-art control software to process images and determine what level of warning or assistance to provide to the driver," said Michael Kane, Ford development engineer. "We've put a lot of effort into ensuring the accuracy of the lane detection and the smoothness of the assist."

The system only works when it is turned on by the driver and at speeds above 40 mph. The lane markers also must be clearly visible for the system to work.

Ford has released a teaser photo of what it is referring to as an All-New Global Vehicle, which will debut at the Delhi Auto Expo next month.

There have been rumors and spy photos of a Fiesta based crossover, so this new "global vehicle" is most likely a crossover that will borrow its platform from the Fiesta.

Ford did not release any other details about the new vehicle other than stating:

"The new vehicle will be the latest One Ford global product, a vehicle designed to help expand Ford's footprint in the world's fastest-growing auto markets, including India. It will be the second of eight products Ford plans to bring to India by mid-decade."

There are reports that the new crossover will reportedly be dubbed the EcoSport.

Ford has announced that the 2012 Focus Electric is expected to be the first five-passenger, all-electric car to achieve more than a 100 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) fuel efficiency rating.

"The Focus Electric is a shining example of the leading fuel economy Ford is offering for each new vehicle," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "Whether people want a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full battery-electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider, providing a range of options to best meet their needs and support their driving habits and lifestyles."

The Focus Electric is powered by a 100-kilowatt electric motor with a 23-kWh battery, that puts out a max 123 horsepower and 181 lb-ft. of torque. The Focus Electric has a top speed of 84 mph with a range of 100 miles on a single charge. According to Ford the Focus Electric can be charged with a new 240 volt charging that charges the car's battery in three-four hours, half the time of the Nissan Leaf.

The 2012 Focus Electric starts at 39,995 after the $795 destination fees, so after the maximum $7,500 federal tax credit the price for the Focus Electric drops to $32,495.

Ford has released more details about the upcoming 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid models. Both the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi use the Ford's next-generation powersplit hybrid technology in combination with a lighter, smaller lithium-ion battery system. Both models pair the high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor with a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. According to Ford the new system allows the gasoline engine to run less.

Ford claims that the C-MAX Hybrid will deliver better fuel economy than the Toyota Prius V. The C-MAX Energi is expected to deliver better MPGe in electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and will have a driving range more than 500 miles using the battery and engine.

"C-MAX is the right car for the time as it combines the dynamics and quality of a traditional car with the versatility of a MAV and leading fuel efficiency that you cannot even get from Toyota," said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford's Electrification Programs and Engineering.

Ford is going to unveil the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion at the Detroit Auto Show, next month. In the meantime Ford is letting us virtually test drive the new Fusion with a new mobile app that has virtual images of the Fusion.

"We want to have an exciting and interactive way to build anticipation leading up to the reveal of the all-new Fusion," said Samantha Hoyt, Fusion Marketing manager. "The app allows consumers to learn about the advanced technology and design of the car in a fun and easy-to-use way while reinforcing the transformative nature of the Fusion."

The app operates on the Android and iOS operating systems, on smartphones and tablets such as the iPhone, iPad and Droid. The experience is initiated by finding and capturing a Ford logo using the mobile device's camera. The Ford logo will appear on the screen as a button that starts the program. Operating like a video game, the app then allows consumers to drive a digitally camouflaged new Fusion on a track.

The 2012 Ford F-150 has been named Motor Trend's Truck of the Year, which marks the fourth time the F-150 has won the award.

"The 2012 F-150 is a no-compromise solution that can be tailored to fit virtually every customer's needs, and the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award further reinforces that this is truly the best choice for America's truck owners," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. "We are proud to receive this award and even more pleased that our F-150 customers have additional validation of their top choice."

Motor Trend editors chose the F-150 because they said, "F-150s are built to work and felt better the more they were challenged. Ford offers an enormous variety of configurations and designs, making the truck tailorable to just about any need. It's the combination of advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value, and the performance of intended function that has earned the Ford F-150 the title of Motor Trend's 2012 Truck of the Year."

The F-150 previously won the award in 1989, 1997, 2004 and 2009.

It's the end of the line for the US-spec Ford Ranger. Next week Ford is going to produce the last Ford Ranger at its plant in St. Paul, Minnesota. It looks like that last Ford Ranger has already been spoken for, by the pest control company, Orkin.

The Ford Ranger name first appeared in 1965 as a package for the the F-Series pickup, but in 1982 it became a compact pickup truck. 30 years later, Ford has decided to focus its energy on the F-Series.

Although Ford is abandoning the segment, GM remains committed to it with the next-generation Chevy Colorado.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but Christmas and the new year are right around the corner. Today is the first day of December and with that we have the sales totals from November, which turned out to be a great month for most of the automakers.

Out of the big automakers, Honda was the only one that didn't have a good month, which was largely due to low inventory levels of the CR-V and Accord models. The Accord held the number 3 spot in October, but completely fell off the top-10 list in November. At least an all-new 2013 Accord is slated for the spring.

The top two spots were occupied by the regulars, the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado. The Toyota Camry came in third meaning it maintained its hold on the top selling car in the list. The Ford Escape was the top selling SUV in the list.

Check out the list after the jump.

Ford has announced plans to introduce 20 new engines and transmissions by 2015, which is part of the automaker's plan to introduce 15 new vehicles to China by 2015.

The new engines will use the latest technology like turbocharging, direct injection, twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), which when coupled with the new six-speed transmissions will deliver over 20% in fuel economy improvement to Ford's passenger vehicle fleet in China.

Ford also announced plans to build its new 1.0L EcoBoost engine in China.

"Ford is committed to be a fuel economy leader in every segment that we compete by utilizing advanced powertrain technologies. These technologies represent a core part of our near-term sustainability goals in China," said Kumar Galhotra, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.

In addition to the new 2013 Lincoln MKS, Lincoln is also unveiling a revised 2013 MKT crossover at the LA Auto Show. The 2013 Lincoln MKT gets a host of upgrades on the inside and out to hopefully help the full size crossover win over more hearts.

The 2013 MKT continues to be powered by either a 3.7L V6 or the 3.5L Ecoboost V6. For 2013 the standard 3.7L gets upgraded to 300 horsepower, up from 268 in the current model. Fuel economy ratings have also improved slightly with the 3.7L V6 getting 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, a 1 mpg highway improvement. The 3.5L EcoBoost carries over with its 355 horsepower. According to Ford, nine out of ten MKT buyers choose the EcoBoost engine. Both engines are mated to a six-speed gearbox and the 3.5L EcoBoost comes standard with all-wheel-drive, while the standard engine only sends its power to the front wheels.

The front end of the 2013 MKT has been revised with a new grille with a lot of vertical grille bars. "The effort behind the new look was to change the proportion of the MKT from the front view. We helped make it feel wider and a bit less tall, less vertical," said Max Wolff, Lincoln Design director. "The execution of the new MKT's grille and the grille bars is a lot more refined and elegant. The new front graphic displays a lot of three-dimensionality, but it's accomplished in a calmer, more restrained way."

The 2013 MKT also gets a new Continuously Controlled Damping that improves the ride and handling of the MKT equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The adjustable suspension utilizes 46 inputs to feed data to a sophisticated control unit that continuously monitors more than 23,000 packets of information per second. CCD constantly reads the road surface and continuously adjusts the suspension in real time within the three selectable ranges - Sport, Normal and Comfort.

The 2013 Lincoln MKT will go on sale in the spring.

In the past few months Ford has publicly discussed the changes that it has in store for the Lincoln brand and what it needs to do actually make Lincoln competitive. Well the first of the new Lincoln models has been unveiled today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The 2013 Lincoln MKS is debuting alongside the also new Lincoln MKT.

The 2013 Lincoln MKS has been heavily updated and according to Ford it has "better handling, increased power, improved fuel efficiency, additional standard equipment, more refinement."

The 2013 MKS gets a freshened exterior in which everything from the A-pillar forward is new, including a softer grille, HID headlamps, front fascia, hood and front fenders. The rear has also been revised with new LED tail lamps, exhaust tips and a new decklid design. The interior has also been revised to be "more inviting and engaging." It also gets the revised MyLincoln Touch system with its revised user interface, standard operator assist and Wi-Fi functionality.

The 2013 MKS is powered by either a 300 horsepower 3.7L V6 or the 355 horsepower turbocharged 3.5L Ecoboost V6. The standard 3.7L gets a boost in horsepower over the last model's 273 horsepower, but at the same time its more fuel efficient with 3 mpg improvement on the highway. Both engines are mated to a standard six-speed automatic. The 3.7L V6 is available with all-wheel-drive, while the 3.5L Ecoboost has it standard.

Ford has added a bunch of new tech features to make the 2013 MKS safer like a Lane Keeping system that alerts drivers when they are leaving a lane unintentionally, adaptive cruise control, collision warning and a blind spot warning system.

Is the new 2013 MKS a step in the right direction for Lincoln?

Ford has unveiled the all-new 2013 Ford Escape that is having its world debut at Los Angeles Auto Show this week.

The 2013 Escape draws much of its styling inspiration from the Vertrek concept that was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

"We call our all-new Ford Escape the 'Smarter Utility Vehicle' because it offers the strengths that customers today really value - fuel economy, versatility and new technology that makes driving and living with the vehicle easier and more fun - all wrapped in a sleek, more modern design," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "Ford understands that more people every year are looking at vehicles like Escape, and we want to give them even more reasons to buy."

According to Ford, the 2013 Escape offers eleven features that aren't offered on other compact SUVs, including an available hands-free power liftgate. The 2013 Escape will be available with three different four-cylinder powertrains. The base 2.5L four-cylinder puts out 168 horsepower and 167 lb-ft. of torque. The 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine packs 173 hp, while the 2.0-liter EcoBoost that puts out 237 hp and 250 lb-ft. All three engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and Ford claims that the 2013 Escape gets up to 5 mpg better than previous Escape.

The 2013 Ford Escape will hit dealerships early next year.

The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 is here with a whopping 650 horsepower and 600 lb-ft. of torque from its 5.8L V8. Chevy Camaro ZL1 fans now have something to be worried about.

The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 is powred by an aluminum supercharged 5.8L V8 that is now the most powerful production V8 engine in the world. A top speed over 200 mph is sure to put a smile on your face!

The GT500's powertrain has been upgraded for 2013 with a new supercharger, new cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a new carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle. The cooling system has also been upgraded with a larger cooling fan, fan shroud with high-speed pressure-relief doors, a more efficient charge air cooler, a higher-flow intercooler pump and an intercooler heat exchanger with volume increased 36 percent.

The six-speed manual transmission gets upgraded gears, bearings and housing to manage all that power. The final drive ratio is now 3.31:1.

"It might just seem like we're putting a bigger engine into the car. But it's been a balanced approach through and through," said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer. "We've completely redone the car to be even more sophisticated in terms of handling and control than the prior model."

An optional Performance Package adds SVT-designed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers that can be adjusted with the touch of a button on the dash. The Track Package adds comes an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler for further durability.

Ford has officially announced the updates that the 2013 Ford Mustang is getting right before its official debut in LA this week.

While we have to wait a little longer for an all-new Mustang, Ford is giving the current Mustang a refresh with a more prominent grille, new hood and LED lighting. The new grille and hood with functional heat extractors combine to give the 2013 Mustang an overall more aggressive appearance.

"We are delivering a more distinctive and emotional design presence that celebrates the total performance of Mustang," said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer. "This latest Mustang design is very respectful of its heritage while continuing to look forward with a more powerful and modern look."

The rear of the 2013 Mustang also gets updated with a high-gloss black panel that connects the taillights, which now have a smoked appearance. The interior now gets optional leather-trimmed or cloth Recaro seats.

Under the hood the Mustang GT is now powered by a 420 horsepower 5.0L V8. A new GT Track Package is available on Mustang GTs and adds an engine cooler, upgraded radiator, performance friction brake pads and the same Torsen differential that's on Mustang Boss 302.

The Boss 302 is powered by a 444 horsepower V8.

The 2013 Ford Mustang will be available in spring 2012.

The 2011 LA Auto Show is only a few days away. Lincoln is giving us a preview of what we'll see at the show with these teasers of the 2013 Lincoln MKS.

The 2013 Lincoln MKS is getting updated with a new hood and revised taillights that you can see in these pics. The MKS is also expected to get a new front fascia with a revised grille and headlights.

The 2013 MKT crossover is also expected to get some updates and will also debut this week at the show.

Come back for all the updates on Wednesday, November 16th.

Ford is expected to unveil a revised 2013 Ford Mustang at the LA Auto Show next week, but Ford is giving the Mustang's Facebook fans a sneak peak.

Basically for every 5,000 fans that share the Mustang badge on their Facebook, Ford will unveil a new teaser of the new Mustang.

The Ford Flex is getting a facelift. For the 2013 model year Ford has given the seven-passenger Flex a new face and new technology like adaptive cruise control.

The 2013 Ford Flex is going to be officially unveiled next week at the LA Auto Show. The new Flex is immediately noticeable thanks to its new front end, which Ford claims creates more visual harmony between the front and the rest of the Flex. The rear of the Flex gets standard dual exhaust.

Under the hood the base Ford Flex is powered by a 3.5L V6 that now puts out 285 horsepower, which is 20 more horsepower than the previous engine. The new Flex also saves you more gas thanks to getting 1 mpg more fuel economy, with projected fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Of course if you want more power the Flex is available with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 that packs 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. of torque.

In addition to bringing another Fiesta ST concept to the LA Auto Show, Ford is going to debut the North American version of the Ford Focus ST at the show.

We first saw the production Focus ST at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The five-door Focus ST is powered by a 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

"This is the first time we have used a Ford EcoBoost engine in a high-performance model, and the result will leave drivers smiling," said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles.

European buyers get a wagon version of the Focus ST, but sadly U.S. buyers only get the five-door hatchback.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Ford unveiled the Fiesta ST concept, which was a high-performance version of the the three-door Fiesta. Now two months later Ford has unveiled a five-door version that is going to debut at the L.A. Auto Show later this month. Does this mean that Ford is going to release a hot version of the small Fiesta? According to Ford the concept hints at how a future Fiesta ST model might look when it joins the Focus ST in the global small car portfolio.

"The Fiesta has a rich history of high-performance models so a new ST performance model is a logical next step in our performance vehicle strategy for our global small cars," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

The Fiesta ST is powered by a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that packs 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Overall the concept we're going to see in LA is basically the same as the concept we saw two months ago, with the exception of an additional two doors.

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric has just shown up on Ford's online configurator with a base price of $39,200 before any state or federal tax credits. The actual total starting price is $39,995 after the $795 destination fees, so after the maximum $7,500 federal tax credit the price for the Focus Electric is $32,495.

Since most buyers will likely cross shop the Focus Electric against the Nissan Leaf, the 2012 Nissan Leaf starts at $35,200.

Of course there are ways to make the Focus Electric cost you even more, like selecting White Platinum paint ($495) or leather trimmed seats ($995).

Ford is now taking reservations for the 2012 Focus Electric.

Today is an historic day, as Ford opens up the order banks for the company's first full production, all-electric passenger vehicle - the Focus Electric," said Chad D'Arcy, Focus Electric Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company. "The all-new Focus Electric is an important part of Ford's overall strategy, bringing still another option to customers who want a car that is fun-to-drive, easy to own and fully electric."

The auto industry showed signs of improvement last month with many of the automaker's posting sales gains over the same period in 2010. Chrysler came out on top last month with sales up 27 percent, while Nissan's sales were up 18 percent. Ford's sales increased a modest 6 percent, which was brought down thanks to Lincoln and GM posted a very small increase of just under 2 percent.

The top-10 list from October saw the Honda Accord stealing the top spot from the Toyota Camry, which is all-new for 2012. The Camry's decline is largely due to the switchover from the outgoing 2011 to the all-new 2012 Camry that is just starting to show up in dealers. So the Camry could return back to the top spot in November. Other noteworthy winners last month were the Ford Escape, which saw its sales rise just over 30 percent and the Ram pickups, which saw a nice 25 percent increase.

Check out the list after the jump...

The all-new 2013 Ford Escape is going to debut this month in LA and while Ford has confirmed the lineup of four-cylinder engines that will power the new Escape, we have yet to see what it will look like. Well we still have to wait a bit longer, but Ford has announced that the 2013 Escape will get a segment-first hands-free liftgate that opens and closes with a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper.

The new hands-free power liftgate does away with the need for a key.

"The hands-free power liftgate is yet another innovative Ford technology that makes customers' lives easier," said Jason Sprawka, Escape brand manager. "New Escape owners will be able to load their vehicle without ever having to set packages or gear down."

The hands-free liftgate builds upon systems that allow drivers to open and start their vehicles without actually ever taking the key out of their pockets. The hands-free liftgate uses two sensors in the rear bumper to detect a person's shin and kicking motion. The system safeguards against accidental opening by being programmed to open with leg motions - not when an animal runs under the car or when the vehicle hits a bump on the road.

The 2012 Ford F-150 has received the Truck of Texas award from the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at its annual Truck Rodeo.

"Texan consumers put their trust in TAWA's automotive journalists. After lining up vehicles from major auto manufacturers, our members determined Ford simply had the best trucks and crossover," said Mike Herzing, president of TAWA. "But the real winners here are Texas' truck buyers. Ford delivers the trucks that fit their lifestyles."

"These honors show Ford trucks still reign supreme in Texas, and it is rewarding to see that the truck-savvy Texas auto writers appreciate just how innovative our F-Series pickups are," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "These awards validate what our customers have been telling us about our 'Built Ford Tough' F-150, and we are honored by their recognition of the strength of our truck lineup as well as our crossovers and EcoBoost engines."

A total of 48 vehicles were entered in the rodeo and evaluated by the 57 registered TAWA members.

The 2012 Ford Edge was awarded the honor of Crossover of Texas and Best Midsize CUV of Texas.

Ford has given us a sneak preview of the customized Ford Focus and Fiesta models that it is bringing to SEMA this year.

Ford is going to be bringing seven customized Focus cars which have been customized by 2dCarbon, ROUSCH, The ID Agency, Capaldi Racing, Steeda, Bojix Design and COBB Tuning. "Millennials, which this car is all about, want to personalize every aspect of their lives - everything from laptop covers to body art, and even cars," said Mike Murphy, C-Car Marketing manager. "Being unique allows them to stand apart and be different, and all the Focus models we have on display at SEMA live up to that standard."

The Fiesta has been customized by M2-Motoring, Gold Coast Automotive and Aaron Vaccar.

Ford is going to officially unveil the all-new 2013 Ford Escape next month at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. Ford has already announced that the new Escape will be offered with a choice of three four-cylinder engines, but Ford has also announced a new use of plastic bottles for the Escape.

The carpet inside the next-generation Escape will be made of 25 recycled 20-ounce plastic bottles.

"It's a good use of recycled product and keeps it out of landfills," said Laura Sinclair, a materials engineer for Ford.

The plastic bottles are actually used to improve the durability of the carpet. "The polyester fibers created from pop bottles make up a nonwoven carpet material," Sinclair said. "So think of it like when you make spaghetti - everything is intermixed. If you have more fibers running on each other - rather than what's underneath, which can be more abrasive - that helps reduce wear." Adding more plastic bottles to the mix helps the carpet not wear out as quickly.

Ford and the United Auto Workers recently signed a new four year contract, which will see a $6.3 billion investment in Ford's U.S. factories. The new contract also gives us some details about the 2013 Shelby GT500.

There have been rumors that the next GT500 would get a 5.8L supercharged V8 to go head to head with the Camaro ZL1 and the latest contract between Ford and the UAW confirms this. Part of the contract states that Ford's Romeo Engine Assembly Plant will receive a $50 million investment and will produce the 5.8L supercharged V8 for the 2013 Shelby GT500.

It's expected that the 2013 Shelby GT500 will pack over 600 horsepower.

Ford is set to release an all-new 2013 Ford Escape early next year and although we have yet to see the all-new 2013 Escape, Ford has announced what we can expect to see under the hood. Ford's EcoBoost engines continue to filter throughout the Ford lineup, which means that we will also see them used in the Escape.

The all-new Escape will offer a choice of three different four-cylinder engines, which includes the new 1.6- and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines and a 2.5-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder.

"Expanding the availability of EcoBoost technology in the all-new Ford Escape will give customers a great range of choices for the fuel efficiency and performance they want in a small SUV," said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Powertrain Engineering. "This advanced technology in the new Escape delivers on our commitment to provide class-leading fuel efficiency in every new Ford product."

The 1.6L EcoBoost is expected to have the feel of a larger engine, but get better gas mileage than the current Escape Hybrid, which gets 31 mpg. The 2.0L EcoBoost will deliver the feel of a V6 engine without the fuel economy penalties.

September's sales numbers are in Detroit's automakers had a great month with Chrysler up 27.2 percent, GM up 19.6 percent and Ford's sales improving 8.9 percent. Honda and Toyota's production is now back to normal following the earthquake in March, but both automakers still have supply issues, which are hurting sales. Toyota was down 17.5 percent and Honda's sales were off by 8.0 percent. Japan's other big automaker, Nissan saw its sales rise by 23.5 percent last month.

September's Top-10 list remains largely unchanged from the month before it, with nine out of the ten models making it the list again. The only new model on September's list was the Honda CR-V, which had a 9.5 percent improvement over August.

Check out the list after the jump.

Ford has released a new video of the 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor that shows off the updates that the truck has received for the new model year. The off-road version of the F-150 pickup gets a new Torsten front differential, front camera and hill-descent control.

Check out the video after the jump...

Ford has announced the updates to the Ford F-150 pickup, which gets a new FX appearance package for the 2012 model year.

The FX appearance package includes unique 20-inch flat-black wheels, a stylized bodyside graphic and black badges with red lettering. The interior gets black leather seats with red trim, brushed-metal accents and a red-stitched steering wheel.

"The new FX package delivers a distinctive style that truck buyers are looking for without compromising on any of the F-150's rugged qualities," said Raj Sarkar, F-150 Marketing manager. "It expands our range of specialty vehicles with custom elements that customers previously could find only in the aftermarket."

The FX luxury package also adds cooled and heated front seats.

Other upgrades to the 2012 F-150 include a new standard hill start assist system that keeps the truck from rolling back on a hill. Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim models also get a new 4x4 system that offers four high and four low modes in addition to a 4x4 auto mode. Neutral tow capability on 4x4 equipped models means customers can now flat-tow their F-150.

The off-road ready Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is getting a few updates for the 2012 model year. Ford remains committed to making the F-150 SVT Raptor the truck for off-road enthusiasts. For 2012 the truck gets a new Torsten front differential, which increases grip on the front end of the truck and improves its handling capability. An internal helical gearset is used to help force torque from the wheel that is losing traction to the wheel with traction.

"This system is key for letting Raptor customers tackle new ground in their truck," said Kerry Baldori, Ford SVT Global Performance Vehicle chief functional engineer. "Its extreme capability lends itself well to rock climbing situations."

The 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor also gets a new class-exclusive off-road front camera system that allows the driver to be able to see what is going on in the front of their truck. The system uses the 8-inch navigation display to let drivers see what is directly in front of their trucks.

"It's a surprise and delight feature that works during low-speed crawling, and it's particularly useful for seeing in front of the vehicle when tackling large inclines," said Jamal Hameedi, Ford SVT chief engineer. "We found the system particularly useful for avoiding large rocks or placing a tire on a rock. It can even take the place of the spotter at times, which is a great feature when the truck is in one foot of mud."

The F-150 SVT Raptor is powered by a 6.2L V8 with 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft. of torque.